I just put this on the rFactor Beta forum. I figured that if anyone might know the answer, I would find them here.

I have had 2 days of unsuccessful Hosting attempts and too many Server Connection Failed "flags" to count. I had previously joined and raced several times and logged onto my own server and raced with other players as well. Since I had downloaded and installed several "mods" and wasn't sure if they created a fault, I have just completed a clean re-install of rFactor 2. I only loaded the original opening day mods, just to see if it would make a difference. Additionally, I reviewed and evaluated my static ip, port forwarding of the router, and verified the firewall settings. The initial 2 attempts to load Spa with an F2 car resulted in a hang/CTD. I will work on this some more and advise if I come up with any answers. Of course, I would appreciate any ideas offered by the forum. Randy

Guybo was having some luck with rf2 server - he maybe able to help out.

OK, so a few observations about making an rF2 server. I also have a headache. That's probably because I tried to do this before coffee- a big no-no. But also it's because ISI tried to make a fool proof system and now only fools can figure this shit out. The new mod system is horrible and doesn't work. With the old system, if a mod didn't work, you'd do a little research and figure out what version of the mod you have, see if it's the same as the server version and figure it out. Now, I know for a fact I have the same versions but sometimes the servers work, sometimes they don't and it makes no sense. I have both working now and I see one problem- sometimes when a mod is upgraded or uninstalled the .mft file for that mod will not be removed from the Manifest folder and that causes problems. Right now I cannot get F1 Elites All Cars and All Tracks working on my gaming machine and there is really no reason at all for it.

Anyway, that rant aside.... Make sure that the game and mods are all installed correctly on the server machine. If you have a software firewall, it should ask if you want the server to be let through (open the ports). Then if you are behind a router, the real fun begins. Google which ports need to be open. If this doesn't work, you can set up your machine to be a DMZ host. But read up on the dangers of doing that.

Now, get one server up and running. Make sure when you try to hook up to the server to test it that it works, that you tick the Local Host option.

To set up multiple servers, that takes some doing. On the server machine you have to set up a different profile for each server you want to set up. I have under \\rFactor2\userdata 3 folder for 3 possible servers. \player \playerf3 and \playermeganes are the 3 folders. Inside those folders rename the player.PLR to whatever you want that profile named. Have a unique name for each .PLR file.

Then in the multiplayer.ini file there's some values that have to be changed.
WAN Query Port="44299" // range is 1025 - 65535
WAN Join Port="64002" // range is 1025 - 65535
LAN Query Port="44299" // range is 1025 - 65535
LAN Join Port="64002" // range is 1025 - 65535

These values have to be unique for each profile. Just change them to something different that within the range.

I changed each one by 1 so playermegane is
WAN Query Port="44299" // range is 1025 - 65535
WAN Join Port="64002" // range is 1025 - 65535
LAN Query Port="44299" // range is 1025 - 65535
LAN Join Port="64002" // range is 1025 - 65535

and playerf3 is
WAN Query Port="44300" // range is 1025 - 65535
WAN Join Port="64003" // range is 1025 - 65535
LAN Query Port="44300" // range is 1025 - 65535
LAN Join Port="64003" // range is 1025 - 65535

Play around with different values until it works.

Thanks for this "tutorial." I have gone back and reinstalled rF2 once again, having noted that even though I had dropped the updates in the packages folder and run the Manage Mods/install program that there were only 2 tracks available or shown. I now have everything working except driving on my own server.

Excellent post and I am sure it will be used by many.

Best regards,
Randy


And yes, I agree with your rant... I had fewer issues with the mis-matches in rF1.

Glad to help :-)

I was running 3 servers off my laptop, but there are very few visitors and with 3 servers the cooling fan in the laptop as running all the time. Once I trimmed down to 2 the fan almost never runs. Weird.

In a lot of ways running an rf2 server is like running a rf1 server was. That took me a LONG time and LOT of frustration and shouting MANY bad words to figure out. I'm glad that doing that then has reaped rewards today because that league ended up running Race 07 instead of rF1 and I thought I had gone through all that just for 6 or 7 races >:-(

I'm happy that all that will help me for the next 5-6 years with rf2!